For the first time the Sathya Sai Central Trust has openly asserted that there is no need for the government to interfere and it is capable of running the affairs of the trust on its own.

Addressing a press conference, Trust member V Srinivasan, said that Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust (SSSCT) is a public charitable trust. "Ours is not a religious institution. We are a service/ spiritual institution. So, the question of running it on the lines of Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanams (TTD) doesn't arise," he pointed out. When asked about government monitoring trust's activities, he said, "It is up to the government to take a call. But the Trust is being run efficiently and in a transparent manner. So, we do not see any role for the government," he said. He refuted any wrongdoings in the Trust and said that there was a transparency in all its transactions.

Pressed further on the government ordering the Trust to furnish all the details pertaining to its activities and financial transactions, he said, "We will submit a report to the government. Any request from the government will be promptly attended to." He said the Trust has filed all statutory returns and donations received from devotees, which have been duly deposited in nationalised banks. The trustees would fully comply with the law and added that the exemptions given to the Trust by the government were in 'appreciation' of its welfare activities. Regarding reports of black money in Prashanthi Nilayam, the trustee said "No cash has been received by the trustees since they took charge after the death of Sai Baba on April 24."